Choose Your Pilates Secret Weapon: 6 Types of Pilates Equipment to Use

If you would like to boost your Pilates workout, there’s a wide variety of Pilates equipment that can complement the exercise. In this article, let’s explore popular types of Pilates equipment, their function and features, as well as the advantages of using each of them. 

Pilates Mat

Most people think that yoga and Pilates mats are the same, but they are actually made for different purposes. As some workouts in Pilates require you to lie on your stomach or back or engage in spinal rolling, you would need a thicker mat to support your body. Pilates mats provide a more supple and denser surface that adds a layer of protection between the body and the floor to ensure comfort and safety during your workout. 

Reformer

The Pilates reformer is one of the most distinctive pieces of equipment in Pilates. Developed by Joseph Pilates during WWI, it was constructed using a bed frame and springs to assist patients in gaining muscle strength. 

Today, the reformer continues to be a valuable tool in Pilates and you can find frames made from wood or metal. The rectangular frame holds up a padded platform called a carriage, which is set atop the frame and is fastened to runners so users can slide the carriage along its length. A foot bar is located at one end of the frame, and two long ropes with handles fastened to pulleys are situated on the other. Users can also add or remove springs on the frame to adjust the tension of the reformer.

You can use the Pilates reformer while standing, kneeling on all fours, lying down, or on your side. Apart from helping users gain muscle strength, this equipment also offers many other benefits, including:

• increasing the mobility of the spine
• improving coordination and flexibility
• assisting with a range of motions
• increasing abdominal strength
• improving Pilates techniques 
• correcting your alignment and fixing poor posture 
• providing various stability and balance challenges

Pilates Chair 

The Pilates chair is designed exclusively for wide range of exercises on the chair to emphasise core and leg strength, shoulder girdle stability as well as mobility and functional movements, including standing, climbing, pushing, and lifting. While there are many modern variations of the chair today, the classic version comprises a padded seat, a sidebar, pedals, and resistance springs that help users stretch and develop muscle groups that may not be accessible with more conventional techniques and equipment. 

Ladder Barrel

For those looking to challenge their postural muscles and stimulate the core muscles, the Ladder Barrel is an excellent piece of equipment to try. Featuring wooden rungs that offer versatility, the device also comes with a surface for exercises that stretch and strengthen the body. In addition, its base can be adjusted to fit different torso and leg lengths.

Trapeze Table

The trapeze table, or as it is commonly referred to as the “Cadillac,” offers additional support for Pilates beginners as well as those recovering from injuries. Designed with a flat platform resembling a four-poster bed, the trapeze table consists of a metal frame with four uprights placed at each corner of the table and a leather-covered table or “bed” area for lying down. While it’s a great tool to enhance fundamental Pilates exercises, it can also help advanced users to master challenging Pilates movements. For instance, the trapeze table is one of the only Pilates equipment for hanging upside down safely. 

Pilates Ring

Joseph Pilates also invented the Pilates ring or “magic circle”. The ring is made of rubber and shaped into a circle with two handles on either side. The Pilates ring not only enhances resistance, it also promotes mobility of the joints, flexibility, and muscular strength, as well as helps you stretch and maintain a better posture during a Pilates workout. Lightweight, portable, and simple to use, it’s little wonder the Pilates ring is a must-have in the Pilates studio. 

Using Pilates equipment is a great way to enhance your workouts. However, it’s best to find a qualified Pilates instructor to show you how to use them appropriately so that you can achieve better outcomes from your exercise. Schedule an appointment with B-Physica to learn more about our Pilates classes and how they can help you improve your health and well-being.